Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

196. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1,000 of 21 March 2017, his plans for a site (details supplied) upon completion of the proposed new maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

197. To ask the Minister for Health if he gave consideration or made attempts to buy outright the site that the proposed new maternity hospital will be built on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15784/17]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

198. To ask the Minister for Health if there is provision to collect the outstanding moneys owed by a religious order regarding the State redress scheme as part of a newly formed company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15785/17]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

199. To ask the Minister for Health if he will have a role in the oversight of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15786/17]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the appropriateness of a religious order (details supplied) having control of a State funded asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

213. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to purchasing or otherwise acquiring State ownership of the land for the new national maternity hospital from a religious order (details supplied) such that the State would have full ownership of the hospital with no interest being retained by the religious order; and if not, the reason. [15867/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

214. To ask the Minister for Health the detail of the appropriate security arrangements and established mechanisms referred to by the HSE (details supplied) that are to be put in place to protect State interests in the new national maternity hospital; and the way in which those arrangements will safeguard both the State's investment and an ethos in the hospital based on medical best practice rather than religious concerns, in view of the fact that a religious order will have an ownership stake in the hospital. [15868/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 200, inclusive, 213 and 214 together.

The Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Areawas commissioned by the HSE and published in 2008. That review identified St Vincent's University Hospital as the most appropriate location for the redevelopment of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH). The site was at the time, and still is, in private ownership and was not on the market. The question of the purchase of the site did not therefore arise.

Last November, following mediation discussions, agreement was reached between the NMH and the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group on a new governance structure for the co-located hospitals on the St. Vincent's campus. The agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares). The new company will have clinical and operational independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, as well as financial and budgetary independence, but will not have a role in relation to the State redress scheme.

I am satisfied that the agreement secured protects the identity and branding of the NMH and the right to use of the new maternity hospital facility. The autonomy of the NMH Board will be underpinned by reserved powers to ensure clinical and operational independence, and the Minister for Health will hold the power to protect those reserved powers. I am also satisfied that the financial interests of the State will be protected through a requirement for a lien to be placed on the hospital. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with further details of the mechanisms which will be put in place to protect the State's investment in the new hospital.